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Bell Canada welcomes more market-based approach to regulation

OTTAWA, April 30 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell Canada welcomes today's Canadian
Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) price caps decision
which reflects significant progress towards a market-based approach to
regulation. The decision sets out a much more efficient and streamlined price
cap regime under which prices will be determined in areas where local
telephone services remain regulated.
"Today's price caps decision is a clear sign that the CRTC has taken to
heart the policy direction set out by the government last December," said
Mirko Bibic, Bell Canada's Chief, Regulatory Affairs. "Together with the
government's recent local forbearance order, and the policy direction itself,
today's move by the CRTC sets Canada firmly on the path to a modern and
efficient telecom policy framework."
That direction is further reinforced by the CRTC's announcement late last
week that it will review the appropriateness of all other existing regulation
in light of the criteria set out in the policy direction.
A policy regime that places greater reliance on market forces rather than
detailed and extensive regulation was a key recommendation of the expert
Telecommunications Policy Review (TPR) Panel. By implementing the
recommendations of the TPR Panel, the federal government and now the CRTC are
moving to ensure Canadian consumers and businesses realize the full benefits
of competition, including increased choice and innovation.
About Bell Canada
Bell Canada is Canada's national leader in communications with 28 million
customer connections across the country. The company provides consumers with
simple solutions to all their communications needs, including telephone
services, wireless communications, high-speed Internet, digital television and
voice over IP. Bell also offers integrated information and communications
technology (ICT) services to businesses and governments, and is the Virtual
Chief Information Officer (VCIO) to small and medium businesses (SMBs). Bell
is proud to be a Premier National Partner and the exclusive Communications
Partner to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Bell is
wholly-owned by BCE Inc. For information on Bell's products and services,
please visit www.bell.ca, and for corporate information on BCE, please visit
www.bce.ca.